ES - “Whistle-blowing” Directive: Spain referred to the Court of Justice of the EU

ES - “Whistle-blowing” Directive: Spain referred to the Court of Justice of the EU

01/09/2017

On 13 July 2017, the European Commission decided to refer Spain to the Court of Justice of the EU for failure to notify measures for fully implementing the EU rules on whistle-blowers.

On 13 July 2017, the European Commission decided to refer Spain to the Court of Justice of the EU for failure to notify measures for fully implementing the EU rules on whistle-blowers. In 2015, the Commission adopted an implementing Directive (Commission Implementing Directive (EU) 2015/2392, so-called "Whistle-blowing" Directive) as regards the reporting to competent authorities of actual or potential infringements of the Market Abuse Regulation.

This Directive is part of the Market Abuse rulebook and requires Member States to establish effective mechanisms to enable the reporting of infringements of the Market Abuse Regulation. It contains provisions to protect those who report such infringements and further specifies procedures to protect whistle-blowers and reported persons, including follow-up arrangements on reports by whistle-blowers and protection of personal data. Member States had to enact these rules into national law by 3 July 2016. Having missed this initial deadline, several Member States, including Spain, were requested to take action to ensure full compliance with the new whistleblowing rules in September 2016. Since then, the Commission has not been informed of a complete enactment of the rules into national law. Therefore, it is referring Spain to the Court of Justice of the EU.

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